PRINCESS MARGARET was the Queen’s younger sister and an extremely popular royal. But was Princess Margaret ever the Princess Royal?

As the Queen’s sister and daughter of a monarch, Princess Margaret was one of the highest-ranking people in Britain. Known as Margot within her family, Princess Margaret was a popular and controversial figure throughout her life, treading a very different path to that of her sister, Queen Elizabeth.

Was Princess Margaret the Princess Royal?

Unfortunately, she did not qualify for the title, because it already belonged to someone else.

The title of Princess Royal is usually granted to the eldest daughter of the monarch, and it currently belongs to Princess Anne, the Queen’s only daughter.

The honour should have been then Princess Elizabeth’s to have her sister, but at the time of their father’s ascension, a Princess Royal was already named.

Royal sisters: The two princesses were reportedly best friends growing up (Image: GETTY)

Princess Margaret: The Princess led a very different life to that of her sister the Queen (Image: GETTY)

King George V’s daughter Princess Mary was then the Princess Royal, and kept her royal title until her death in 1965 — 13 years into Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

The title would then have transferred to the Queen – but by then Princess Anne was born.

Princess Royal’s keep their title until they die, not until a new eldest daughter of the monarch is born, hence why Margaret missed out on the opportunity.

If Princess Anne is still alive when Prince William comes to the throne, she will retain the title and pass it on to Princess Charlotte when she dies.